Symposium to Address School Funding Issues

Doug Huntley, superintendent of Queensbury Union Free School District

Doug Huntley, superintendent of Queensbury Union Free School District

Conference to Address Education, Economic Development & Community Partnerships

The 12th annual North Country Symposium will take place April 7 at St. Lawrence University’s Eben Holden Conference Center. This year’s conference will address a theme of “Education, Community and Economic Development,” which will explore the important ways that North Country K-12 educational institutions contribute to the vitality and economic security of the community.

The annual symposium, sponsored by the Ellen C. Burt ’42 Endowment, brings together northern New York stakeholders to explore and enhance the region's economic, environmental, and social vitality. This year’s program will explore how community-school interactions can expand opportunities for students in the face of school funding shortfalls.

Joining the program this year will be Doug Huntley, former superintendent of the Massena Central School District and current superintendent of Queensbury Union Free School District in Queensbury, N.Y. Huntley will share his insights on the current state of rural schools in New York, how they can effectively deliver services to their students and how they can engage in community partnerships.

Attendees will have the opportunity to break into group discussions, which will focus on school-community partnerships in issue areas of business and commerce, arts and culture, energy, recreation and tourism, health, and food and agriculture.

Registration is required. For more information, visit the symposium website at www.northcountrysymposium.org or contact symposium coordination assistants Doug Welch at 315-229-5052 or Ben Dixon at 315-229-5664.